VOLUM City closer to settling Islanders turn out to hoBor Reaer By KEVIN DUFFY g i- i. il>-i> .I ">•' I L-i .1 1 [email protected] Sani'H.1 L* in M ••. • I I 'l ' l| lawsuit with Lee County distriv.i. w.i.i • u1! .- ,. The community waved goodbye to a ing tnsi,>. ,,'K. '.- • u .n By KEVIN DUFFY longtime city official this week and will '"'i* i l.ii.'i- «.•> .I'i'i the proposal isn't right for islanders hi [email protected] because it puts tourists first. now set about the task of replacing him. due 10 ilio I • : •" V. • .< -nil * ,ii "It sounds like you are asking me to pay Sanibel City Council voted Tuesday to more taxes so day-trippers' tolls can go dedicate its share of surplus revenue to down," she said. "I'm afraid it sounds like reducing tolls on the Sanibel Causeway, city council is giving up without a fight." providing Lee County does the same. Others, like Workman, said the settle- Council, by a 4-1 vote, moved to allow ment terms simply aren't good. City Manager Judie Zimomra to continue "To me, when you negotiate a settle- negotiations with County Manager Don ment there is some compromise involved," Stilwell in the hopes of reaching accord she said. "The longer we negotiate the between the two governing bodies. more they take." Councilwoman Judy Workman voted no. Workman said she was unhappy with The agreement accepts the county's the county's decision to withhold the sec- terms calling for Sanibel to apply its 21 ond payment of surplus toils to Sanibel percent of surplus revenue to reducing the from last year — $202,795 — and with the discount program on the causeway and lack of protections built into the settlement transponder fees. But the resolution that proposal. council approved stipulates that the city's "I think this is a bad deal, we're not get- contribution will remain in effect only for ting anything out of it,"' she said. so long as the county dedicates its 79 per- Lubetkin said that the amount of taxes cent share soiely to toll reductions. that islanders pay to the count} will go up City Attorney Ken Cuyier will draft a as well because the county's typical annual preliminary stipulated agreement and pre- portion of toil revenue — about $3 million sent it to council for consideration during — will have to be recouped as well. the 9 a.m. public hearing of Tucs., Feb. 15 Planning Commission Chairman Jack at MacKenzie Hall. Samler urged council to seek a unilateral Some at the hearing wondered if a set- settlement with the county where both par- tlement would reMiii in higher taxes for ties retain \bcc share1; v.r.c'er the iiituio^al Photo by Kenny Severance Sanibel residents or a decrease in city ser- agreement and agree to drop all claims Steve Brown (ieft) and Francis Bailey (right) join with a substantial percentage of the vices. against one another. Cuyier responded that isiarsd population in wishing Bruce Rogers (center) weii on his retirement after 27 ''Our share has to be replaced to keep such a strategy wouldn't work because the years of service to the City of Sanibei. our budget in place," Bernie Lubetkin. a county has maintained in court that ihc private citizen, said. ''Am I as a citizen bet- interlocal agreement is invalid. Bruce Rogers, who began his career ning department," said Ernie Klaudt, an ter off or worse off? That's what 1 want to "I don't have faith in the interlocal as Sanibei's planning director on Feb. 21, eight-year planning commissioner who know." agreements anymore,"' Councilmcmber 1978 and held the position until Jan. 8. joined other commission alumni in wish- Vice Mayor Dick Walsh said the pro- Steve Brown said while predicting the spoke to a packed house of residents and ing Rogers well. "They are all good peo- posal amounts to residents and business county will punch holes in the city's pro- former elected and appointed officials at ple, and under Brace's leadership they owners paying $2.37 for every $ 100,000 oi' posal. MacKenzie Hall Tuesday, thanking them did well." taxable value. Based on an average proper- Walsh said he believes the county for their kindness. He also thanked his John Filchak, a 17-year island resi- ty value on-island oi' $500,000, most "'won't stab us" because of Sanibei's status wife oi" 37 years, Joan, who joined him dent, said that Rogers' dedication raised islanders will pay about $11.85 to make up a*> a source of bed taxes through the resort by his side. Sanibel above other cities he and his the shortfall. "I'm overwhelmed, so appreciative wife, Mary, have visited, such as Jackson Another resident, Barbara Cooiey. said See Sun- and grateful." he said. Hole, Wyo. and Cannon Beach, Ore. page 3 After enjoying a coffee and danish "He's done a great job of planning for reception outside city hall before coun- us," he said. "He's a very objective, hon- cil's public hearing, Rogers received a est person."' City to attempt to clarify referenda proclamation from council presented to The city hasn't advertised for Rogers' him by Mayor Marty Harrity, as well as replacement yet and is not close to solic- By I amount of vegetation removal and a framed copy of the city's Compre- iting for applicants, City Manager Judie [email protected] impermeable surface coverage allowable hensive Land Use Plan. Zimomra said. in development projects, alterations to "You're the best, buddy," Harrity told Administrative Services Manager Jim The city will soon take a stab at mak- the city's primary roadways and term him before Rogers received the first of Isom is currently conducting a job audit ing the intent of a handful of charter lengths for planning commission mem- two prolonged standing ovations. of the position to determine what duties amendments on the March 1 ballot bers. In addition to molding Sanibei's clearer to residents. If approved, the charter would be growth in accordance with the city's land See ROGERS Voters on Sanibel will soon find a amended to permit changes to those ele- use plan and Land Development Code, page 3 form letter from the city in their mail- ments only through voter referendum. boxes that will attempt to dissect the five Walsh said that the intent of the pro- "people's choice" amendments to the posals is to allow voters, rather than a City Charter that will appear on the bal- majority on council, the power to decide Candidates' forum at SCA, Tuesday, Feb. 15 lot next month. key issues that affect all residents. Joined by The Sanibel munity Association, the International College. Dr. Brought forth by Vice Mayor Dick Changes to development density, for & Captiva Islands Island Reporter will spon- Landau will be teaching on Walsh and other members of the com- Chamber of Commerce sor a Candidates' Forum at the Cape Coral, Naples See REFERENDA munity, the proposals address building and the Sanibel Com- 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15 and Fort Myers campuses. heights, development density, the page 26 at the Sanibel Community He arrived in Naples in House on Periwinkle Way. late December after 14 All seven candidates for years as an out-of-state H'JJitit mm UEDSlMIT the Sanibel City Council university professor. Prior have agreed to participate to teaching, Dr. Landau • GUEST OPINION.. PAGF 4 City Council Sanibel Music Thousands of and each will have an served as a city manager in • LETTERS PAGL 6 continues review Fest and BIG fingerlings arrive opportunity to make a brief New Jersey. Dr. Landau • DATELINE PAGL 14 ARTS presentation which will be has a Doctor of Arts degree • TV LISTINGS... PAGE 20 followed by questions. from Idaho State SCCF Marine has : They will also have an University and his MPA • OBITUARIES PAGfc 20 Council extends review Lots of good music receieved a new shipment : opportunity for brief clos- from New York University. • POLICE BEAT PAGE 21 process to next meeting •coming to the island. of redfish to be grown and ing remarks. He holds other graduate : • SPORTS PAGE 22 at least. released. The moderator for this credentials from Yale and Cornell and has been a • PERMITS PAGE 23 forum is Dr. Douglas A. Landau, a newly appointed guest TV commentator on • CLASSIFIEDS... PAGE 24 — See page 3 — See pages 18 & 19 — See page 27 Associate Professor of nearly 30 occasions in • LOOKING BACK .. PAGE 26 Public Administration at recent years. 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